SR1063 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1063 LRB102 27760 LAW 39558 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Herman Eddie Brooks of Peoria, who passed away on May 13, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Herman Brooks was born to Elwood and Vivian Brooks on March 7, 1932; he was raised in Valley City and graduated from Griggsville High School in 1950; he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1954; he married Shirley Reddy at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Peoria on September 3, 1955; and

WHEREAS, After his military service, Herman Brooks moved to Peoria and worked at Caterpillar; he left Caterpillar to become a firefighter for the City of Peoria in 1958, where he rose through the ranks, becoming fire chief in 1985; he retired from the fire department in 1987; during his career as a fireman, he joined the Illinois National Guard, where he served as a reservist from 1959 to 1983, retiring as a master sergeant; and

WHEREAS, Herman Brooks had a passion for volunteering, and he spent time involved in the athletic booster organizations for St. Philomena and the Academy of Our Lady/Spalding Institute; he was also a founding member of the Illinois Association of Retired Firefighters; and

WHEREAS, Herman Brooks was a dedicated father who always made it a point to attend and coach his children's extracurricular activities while working for the fire department and his various second jobs; he enjoyed attending family gatherings and spending time with his children and grandchildren; he was a lifelong sports fan and always cheered for the Chicago Bears, the St. Louis Cardinals and the University of Notre Dame football team; alongside his wife, he spent the winters of his later years in Mesquite, Nevada, where they enjoyed being close to the Las Vegas NASCAR races, casinos, and warm weather; and

WHEREAS, Herman Brooks was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, George, Wayne, Donald, and Richard; and his sister, Katherine Lawson; and

WHEREAS, Herman Brooks is survived by his wife, Shirley; his sister, Della Johnson; his children, Mary (Jerry) Motteler, Eddie Brooks, Patrick (Vicki) Brooks, Michael (Jody) Brooks, Mark Brooks, and Ann (Jim) Anderson; his grandchildren, Clifford, Molly, Hannah, Emily, Brooke, Taylor, Nicholas, Michael, Sarah, Catherine, and Jason; his great-granddaughters, Caroline, Tinley, Lily, Vivian, and Hailey; and several nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Herman Eddie Brooks and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Herman Brooks as an expression of our deepest sympathy.